From the TeachingtheWord Bible Knowledgebase

Part six of a series. Read part five.

Editor's Note: As we continue publishing the text of chapter two of Arthur Pink's Profiting From the Word, he now directs our attention to the untold benefit to be gained by "being weaned from the empty pleasures of this world, [and] learning that there is no blessing outside of God." In times like these, when we are reminded daily of the untrustworthiness of everything associated with this present evil world, what a delight and comfort it is to find our joy and satisfaction in all that Scripture reveals our God to be. - Dr. Paul Elliott

That in which man most delights is his "god." The poor worldling seeks satisfaction in his pursuits, pleasures and possessions. Ignoring the Substance, he vainly pursues the shadows. But the Christian delights in the wondrous perfections of God. Really to own God as our God is not only to submit to His scepter, but is to love Him more than the world, to value Him above everything and everyone else. It is to have with the Psalmist an experiential realization that "all my springs are in Thee" (Psalm 87:7). The redeemed have not only received a joy from God such as this poor world cannot impart, but they "rejoice in God" (Romans 5:11), and of this the poor worldling knows nothing about. The language of such is: "The Lord is my portion" (Lamentations 3:24).

Spiritual exercises are irksome to the flesh. But the real Christian says: "It is good for me to draw near to God" (Psalm 73:28). The carnal man has many cravings and ambitions; the regenerate soul declares, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4). And why? Because the true sentiment of his heart is, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee" (Psalm 73:25). Ah, my reader, if your heart has not been drawn out to love and delight in God, then it is still dead toward Him.

The language of the saint is, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Ah, that is a supernatural experience indeed! Yes, the Christian can rejoice when all his worldly possessions are taken from him (see Hebrews 10:34). When he lies in a dungeon with back bleeding, he can still sing praises to God (see Acts 16:25).

Thus, to the extent that you are being weaned from the empty pleasures of this world, are learning that there is no blessing outside of God, discovering He is the Source and Sum of all excellency, and your heart being drawn out to Him, your mind stayed on Him, with your soul finding its joy and satisfaction in Him, are you really profiting from the Scriptures.

Next: The Spiritual Profit of Larger Submission to God's Providences

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